The DuPage Water Commission

Water Journey to your Tap

February 24, 2015

Technical Presentation by:

Terry McGhee&

Jenessa Rodriguez

DuPage Water Commission

The Water Cycle

Water is constantly being recycled through the earth’s water cycle.

Human can consume fresh water faster than natural replenishment.

We all use water, so we should do our part to protect and preserve it.

Conserving water is beneficial to our community, because it:

Protects our water supply for the future, the environment, and natural ecosystems

Saves energy and money

The Great Lakes are key to regional water

supply The Great Lakes are the largest system of fresh, surface

water on earth, containing roughly 18% of the world fresh water supply.

Lake Michigan is the second largest of the Great Lakes. 

LENGTH:  307 miles / 494 km.  BREADTH:  118 miles / 190 km.  AVERAGE DEPTH:  279 ft. / 85 m  MAXIMUM DEPTH:  925 ft. / 282 m.  VOLUME:  1,180 cubic miles / 4,920 cubic km.

WATER SURFACE AREA:  22,300 sq. miles / 57,800 sq. km.  SHORELINE LENGTH (including islands):  1,638 miles / 2,633 km.  ELEVATION:  577 ft. / 176 m.  OUTLET:  Straits of Mackinac to Lake Huron

Protecting our Water

Supply

As Chicago grew during the second half of the 19th century, human and industrial waste openly flowed into the Chicago River. As the river (and Lake Michigan) became increasingly polluted a new solution was needed

On August 2, 1885, more than 5 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours, the deluge overwhelmed the inadequate sewage system, causing raw sewage to flow far out into Lake Michigan.

Reversal of the Chicago River

Fearing a public health disaster caused by unofficial public health records. The newly created Sanitary District of Chicago began planning a massive construction project that would permanently divert Chicago’s sewage away from the lake and toward the Gulf of Mexico, connecting the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins.

Contrary to historical accounts claiming more than 90,000 deaths from typhoid fever and cholera. A current day review of health records show the death rate from typhoid was slightly above average and there were no deaths from cholera following the great downpour.

Construction of the Chicago

Sanitary and Ship Canal

In 1892 construction of the $31 million project had begun and is considered by some historians to be the largest public works excavation undertaken up to that time.

On May 2, 1900, Admiral George Dewey dedicated the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal across the continental divide connecting the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River

The resulting improvement in water quality was quickly apparent with a significant drop in the death rate from typhoid and similar water‐borne diseases.

In the 30 years following completion of the canal, death rates from contagious diseases were cut in half.

Diverting Water from Lake Michigan

A similar channel (the Cal‐Sag) was constructed in 1922 to connect the Little Calumet River to the Sanitary canal and ultimately to the Mississippi River system

In 1938, a controlling works and lock were built at the mouth of the Chicago River to limit direct diversions from Lake Michigan and to prevent the river from flowing back into Lake Michigan during significant storm events.

Water discharged outside Great Lakes Basin

DuPage County Boundary (approximate)

2

1

3

Wilmette Pumping Station next to the Bahai Temple

Chicago River Lock and Controlling Works

O’Brien Lock and Dam in Calumet

Lockport Powerhouse and Lock

The water drops a total of 159 feet from 578 at Lake Michigan to 419 feet at the

Mississippi River at Grafton, Illinois.

The Chicago Diversion

Starting after 1900 the mean annual diversion rates increased steadily to a maximum of 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). (6.4 billion gallons per day in 1928)

Other Great Lakes basin states and Canada objected to the diversion, citing the impact on lake levels

Starting in 1912 , The U.S. Supreme Court issued a series of rulings that repeatedly lowered the allowable diversion (excluding domestic water pumpage) to 1,500 cfs (0.96 billion gallons per day) by 1938.

In 1967, Illinois agreed to a consent decree that limited the total

diversion for navigation, domestic water use, and sanitation to 3,200 cfs (2.06 billion gallons per day)

The Chicago Diversion

The decree was modified in 1980 to allow Illinois to provide water to additional communities.

In 1996, Illinois reached an agreement with Michigan and other Great Lakes states to restore water taken in excess of 3,200 cfs (2.1 billion gallons/day) since 1980 to Lake Michigan

The reversal of flow between basins and the diversion of Lake Michigan water has long been a source of contention among competing interests. Therefore, such flows are routinely measured and reported to provide policy makers and managers with important information for

decision‐making. Currently, water that flows directly from Lake Michigan through locks

and controlling works accounts for between 10 and 15 percent of the total diversion

Drainage Basin

Great Lakes Compact Controls Water Use An agreement between the Great Lakes

States and two Canadian Provinces to provide unprecedented protections for the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin

Ban on new diversions, with limited exceptions States required to regulate in-basin water uses Uniform standard for evaluating withdrawal proposals States required to adopt water conservation plan Water shipped in small containers (< 20 l) not a diversion Waters of Great Lakes include rivers and groundwater Illinois diversion at Chicago exempted

Supreme Court ruling allows for 3,200 cfs diversion for Chicago

Source: Annin, Peter. The Great Lakes Water Wars. 2006.

Sources: Great Lakes Information Network; Bulletins E-1866-70, Sea Grant College

Program, 1985.

Chicago Diversion Brings Attention to Management of Water in NE Illinois

Unique access to Great Lakes Water

Illinois only about 0.3% of Basin Reversal of Chicago River allows

for discharge of stormwater and treated wastewater down river and OUT of Great Lakes Basin

Supreme Court ruling allows for 3,200 cfs diversion

Diversion management/accounting of potable water supply, lock leakage, discretionary flow, navigation makeup and stormwater diversion

Lake Michigan Diversion at Chicago

Water discharged outside Great Lakes Basin

DuPage County Boundary (approximate)

Lake MichiganOur Water Source

The Treatment process

Carter Harrison / Dever Cribs

Water from Lake Michigan enters the intake crib at depths of 20 to 30 feet.

Water enters the purification plant's intake basin through a tunnel beneath the lake bed.

Building the Intake tunnels

James W. Jardine Water Purification Plant

James W. Jardine Water Purification Plant

Tunnel Boring Machine

12 foot Diameter Tunnel

12 foot Diameter Tunnel

Lexington Pumping Station

Lexington Pumping Station

Lexington Pumping Station

Lexington Pumping Station

Lexington Pumping Station

90” Transmission Main Installation

Des Plaines River Crossing

90” Transmission Main Installation

Second largest water system in the State of Illinois

Sole source of Lake Michigan water inside DuPage County

The Commission purchases finished water from the City of Chicago and wholesales it to the communities located inside DuPage County

Operates under the authority of the Water Commission Act of 1985

System Background Responsible for water to ≈ 800,000 people DuPage Pumping Station has a capacity of 185

MGD with an average day demand of 86 MGD Site covers ≈ 10 acres Two 15 MG reservoirs Disinfection facilities Back-up generation facilities

System Background

202 miles of pipelines ranging in size from 12” to 90”

78 Metering Stations 249 Turbine meters 34 Remotely Operated Valves 5 Standpipes (32.5 MG of

storage) 1 Remote Pump Station with

an emergency interconnection to the Village of Schaumburg

Three Types of Water Main Installation

Typical Meter Station

Typical Remotely Operated Valve (ROV) Control Cabinet

Typical Tank Site (TS3)

Tank Site 1 Pump station

DuPage Water Commission Design Considerations

LEED ® is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – a green building rating system as devised by the U.S. Green Building Council. Benefits of green building include:

Save 15% to 20% in annual energy costs Conservation of water and other natural resources Reduced overall impact on the environment

Some LEED considerations for LPS Innovative On-site use of Photovoltaic Cell produced energy to Pumps

or Building uses. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) – purchase and/or sale of power

generated by renewable sources (Photovoltaic Cells)

Why Go Green?

Main drivers for LEED certification: Commitment to environmental stewardship Resource sustainability Prudent long-range planning

Applied triple bottom line in the decision making process: People Planet Profit

The Commission is committed to being a leader in the water industry while proving that local government can operate in an efficient and environmentally sound method.

2 Cisterns on Site 18’ Diameter, 12’-6”

Tall Capture Rainwater,

Eliminate Flow into Sewers

Stored Water Used to Wash Vehicles and for Irrigation

Major Technologies Used to Promote Sustainability:

13,000 Gallon Rainwater Collection System

Reduces Urban Heat Island Effect

Made of Succulent Plants Designed to Retain and Filter Water Prior to Release into the Cisterns

Major Technologies Used to Promote Sustainability:

6,200 Square Foot Green Roof

Detention Pond Provides Settling Area for Further Removal of Suspended Solids

Bio-swale and Detention Pond Naturally Filter Storm water and Reduce Runoff

Native Plantings Reduce 50% of Water Used for Landscaping

Major Technologies Used to Promote Sustainability:Site Design Using a Detention Pond, Bioswale, and

Native Plantings

Bio-Swale Construction

Major Technologies Used to Promote Sustainability: Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Reservoir Converted to Savanna and installation of Native Prairie Plants

Top of Covered Parking

Storm Water Retention Pond

Solar Wall

Benefits Completed by local contractors Projected to use 40% less water than baseline requirements with ultra low

flow bathroom and plumbing fixtures 6,200 square foot green roof to reduce building runoff 13,000 gallon rainwater cistern system to reuse water on site as well as a

bioswale and detention pond Reduced storm water runoff by approximately 30% of pre-construction

conditions.

Benefits

Approximately 100% or 11,300 tons of construction debris was recycled and thereby diverted from landfills.

Recycled the existing 4,500 square foot vehicle maintenance/storage facility into the generator facility.

Facility exceeds the energy performance requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 by 14%.

Automatic light fixture dimming controls along with natural day lighting to reduce the lighting load in the facility.

Wrap Up

The Commission’s LEED building has only been up and running for a short time so we will have to wait before we can calculate the actual saving generated by the addition of these increased efficient building system such as :

Short Term (lighting, water use, and heating & cooling) Long Term (fixture replacement & wear and tear on

materials) Immediate benefits:

Healthier work environment for employees Smaller carbon footprint Reduced impact on the surrounding environment

Wrap Up

DWC is pleased with the end result of this project

Proud that we were able to achieve LEED Sliver for this project

Project received ACEC Illinois Special Achievement Award – Energy category

Water Conservation and Protection Program (WCAPP) Overview

Primary driver for DWC WCAPP is commitment to stewardship and prudent long-term planning

To implement water conservation in DuPage County, DWC will:

Develop and communicate clear and consistent message

Implement select group of programs to create initial surge in conservation efforts

Organize and distribute conservation resources and tools to be evaluated, customized and used by individual Member Utilities to promote effective local programs

DuPage County Water Usage Summary

Average daily water use for Lake Michigan water users in DuPage County is 106 gallons/person/day

Over 71% of total water use is for residential customers

Source: Summary of data from DWC and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Data does not include unaccounted for flow values for Argonne or IAWC.

Water Usage Summary

Note: Summary data only includes Lake Michigan water delivered by DuPage Water Commission Member Utilities to their customers. Data does not include any groundwater use.

Baseline Analysis of DWC Water Usage

Regional Water Conservation Program

Program’s overall goal is to achieve a 10 %

reduction in water use per person within 10 years.

You can help by:

saving gallons of per day

OR

saving 1 gallon of per day every year for 10 years.

10

Programs were chosen by their potential to have the greatest impact

Outdoor31%

Indoor69%

80 – 90% of the outdoor component of residential water use goes to lawn care

Average Indoor and Outdoor Water Use in a Non-conserving Home

Average Indoor Water Use in a Non-conserving Home

WCAPP focuses on conservation education and awareness

Program 1 – Water Pledge

Program 2 – Residential Leak Detection and Repair

Program 3 – Rain Gauge and Landscape Irrigation

Program 4 – Rain Barrel

Four education programs were developed, combining conservation measures (hardware) with educational materials (incentive)

Conservation Education Program 1 – Water Pledge

Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility.There are two groups asked to make a water conservation pledge:

Your Water Utility

You

How can you pledge?

Fill out the pledge either online at

www.preservingeverydrop.org or by mail

Identify the ways that you can conserve water in and

around your home

Examples of ways to conserve are:

Decrease your shower by two minutes

saves 10 gal for a regular showerhead

saves 5 gal for a low-flow showerhead

Repair leaky toilets

A small toilet leak can save you $50 or more per year through

lower water and sewer bills!

Conservation Education Program 2 – Leak Detection and Repair

Toilet leaks can waste over 100 gallons a day!

There is a simple, easy way to check your toilet for leaks!

Packets that can be found at the Water Conservation table. Dye tablets (or food coloring) helps determine if

there is a leak by placing the tablet into the tank

of your toilet then waiting 10 minutes to see if the

color has appeared in the bowl. If the color appears in the bowl it means your

toilet is leaking.

Most toilets leak because the flapper is worn out, this is a $5 piece that is easily replaced.

in is leaking

Conservation Education Program 3 – Rain Gauge and Landscape Watering

On average, ½ of the annual water used in a single-family home will be used for lawn care!

Rain gauges measure how much rain your lawn receives.

They can help you tell when to water outdoor plants and turf and how much to water.

Rain gauges have information on how to best

use them as well as helpful lawn care tips, such as:

A typical Illinois lawn ONLY needs about 1-1½” of

water each week.

Make sure to place your rain gauge free from overhang:

trees, shrubs, gutters

Conservation Education Program 4 – Rain Barrel Usage

Watering lawns wastes our drinking water and energy resources.

Watering lawns can be accomplished with rain water instead.

Rain barrels Collects the mineral-rich, chlorine free

rain water from your downspout that can be

used for watering plants and grass

Conserves drinking water used for lawn care

A quarter-inch of rain falling on the average

home yields more than 200 gallons of water

Year 4 Implementation

Priorities for 2015 include: DWC to continue support and outreach to

member utilities• Continuing Programs• New Program Placeholder

DWC to continue public education and outreach• Videos• School outreach• Community events

Preserving Every Drop Website

http://www.preservingeverydrop.org

Questions